Hey Hovoor Ive rigged the 8.5 yer the cams can be difficult it does get easier as the sail stretches. What can help is if you remove the metal clip that goes over the battern tip. if you take a cam off you will know what i mean.
That allows the cam abit more freedom.

Hey Hovoor, I have the exact same sail and had the exact same problems. I found it helpful to release some outhaul also. So no downhaul and only a tiny bit of outhaul tension. Start out like this to pop the cams on to the mast, then apply some outhaul before downauling, otherwise the cams will pop back off the mast. I can't rig the sail by following the instructions.
My rigging sequence:
1. Mast up the sleeve
2. 50% downhaul
3. Attach boom
4. Attach adj. outhaul
5. Release downhaul totally
6. Tiny bit of outhaul
7. Pop on cams, top first
8. 50% outhaul
9. 100% downhaul
10. 100% outhaul

And as Vando says, it gets easier after a few sails too...

Thanks for the tips guys I will try them the next time I rig up.

Any other ideas for improving the rotation a bit?

I have only sailed my 8.5 once with an Isonic 135 in about 10-14 knots with a 44 cm fin. I was thinking of going with a longer fin for this setup, 50cm or so maybe?

I am 75 kgs and I think 12 knots is about what I need to get going with this equipment.

With what board, fin and wind speed do you find this sail suitable for?

Cheers

Scott

Windxtasy said...

That sounds a bit tedious.

It is at first, but it becomes automatic and only takes a couple of minutes longer to rig than a no-cam. Definitely worth it once out on the water

hovoor said...

Any other ideas for improving the rotation a bit?

My 8.5's rotation is effortless, but I rig it on a Loft RDM. Have you tried the Ask Monty forum?
http://www.loftsails.com/2010/forum/viewforum.php?f=1



Heh, I just went there to get the forum address, and saw your post....

Monty said...

Please over-outhaul, and FULLY release the downhaul (25 + cm).

I also have the 6.8 Switchblade and rig it on an HDM* NeilPryde X3 mast. There's no way over outhauling helps me to get the cams on the mast, I use the same under outhauling technique - essentially slackening the entire sail surface. I find over-outhauling tightens the luff hard up against the mast, and I can't move the cams at all.



If you sail around Botany, I'd be happy to have a look and see if we can work out a way to make it easier to rig.


*HUGE Diameter Mast